RPiBlog

GRasPi is a 15W battery powered compact size guitar amplifier with comprehensive features and offers wide range of effects all powered by Raspberry Pi.

GRasPi harnesses the power of the Raspberry Pi to run open source app like Guitarix (or others) which, controlled from an external MIDI pedal, offers a very large variety of custom sounds to the musician. The long battery life allows a good autonomy even to street musicians, furthermore with appropriate software the MIDI input port can be used with a master keyboard and enable its use simultaneously with a guitar.

Flow chart

To interface with Raspberry Pi GRasPi uses the widespread WM8731 audio codec, so everyone can easily change the software according their needs. The best way to access the Raspberry Pi's desktop is via wireless with VNC, so you can experience the sounds you prefer and create your own presets. For your gigs setup you can simply use a MIDI pedal to handle them.

The small size and low weight makes it the perfect companion of your guitar or it can serve as an alternative when you don't have the opportunity to use your large and heavy amplifier. To learn more about the new GRasPi do visit their KickStarter page and make a pledge if you are interested.

Raspberry Pi 3 will soon support low-throughput cellular connections, which can allow users to control the device over long distances. Altair recently announced that the firm has finished testing its ALT1160 Category 1 LTE chip on the Raspberry Pi 3 and it is ready for roll out.

The LTE chip will be integrated into various add-on expansion boards from various third-party partners, according to PC World. Altair claims that its LTE chips are supported by multiple network providers across the globe. The firm also added that drivers and software required for its LTE chips to work on a Raspberry Pi are also ready for roll out.

Altair's LTE Category-1 chipset features downlink speeds of up to 10Mbps and extremely low power consumption. The chipset is software upgradable for CAT-M1 LTE connectivity, targeting low power, low throughput IoT devices. The cost-optimized chipset is highly integrated and includes an advanced on-chip power management unit, integrated DDR memory and a low power CPU subsystem with a strong security framework for customer developed applications.About Altair Semiconductor

Altair Semiconductor is a leading provider of single-mode LTE chipsets. Altair's portfolio covers the complete spectrum of cellular 4G market needs, from supercharged video-centric applications all the way to ultra-low power, low cost IoT and M2M. Altair has shipped millions of LTE chipsets to date, commercially deployed on the world's most advanced LTE networks including Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Softbank and KT (Korea Telecom).

Inspired by the likes of GuruPlug and DreamPlug, PowerPi presents a tidy solution to powering your Pi without the octopus of cables that usually comes with a single board computer.

Design

PowerPi's simple and elegant design allows you to switch out either SD cards or whole Pis with ease. Also in order to make it a world compatible Pi case, hot plug was incorporated and the power transformer able to regular power to the Pi regardless of the country of use.

Key features

1. Compatible with all generations of full size Pi
2. Access to HDMI/Sound/USB/SD/Ethernet.
3. Swappable plug heads for UK/US/EU/OZ

Main Use Cases
1. VPN Server
2. File Server
3. Media Centre
4. DNLA

To learn more about the new PowerPi do visit their Kickstarter page and make a pledge if you are interested. It has already reached 30% of its funding goal and £2,000 is required to take the new PowerPi into production.

OK, so on Thanksgiving there are certain blessings you’re contractually obliged to be thankful for.
However, one thing we would love to be in the position to be grateful for would be owning our very own fully stocked game room — complete with pinball machines, pool tables, and maybe even a working jukebox thrown in for good measure.

That’s where U.K.-based game room specialists Liberty Games come in. And they’ve just come up with a way to make our dream basement even dreamier by adding an Amazon Echo, Raspberry Pi and Logitech Harmony Hub to it. The result? A smart game room you can bring to life with just your voice.

The demo was created as part of a fun ‘hack’ by members of the team, but Kerr said it’s a service they would certainly be willing to offer any customers looking to add a bit of extra flair to their geek cave. He noted that it is also something that is far more manageable with 2016-era tech than it would have been even a few years back.

“If you go back a couple of years before the Echo came out, this could easily have added an extra $10,000 on top of the cost of the games room to set up a bespoke system for doing this,” he said. “With the technology as it is today, an Echo costs [$180] and a Raspberry Pi cost is just [$35]. It’s made it much more affordable.”

The team’s not stopping here, either. “There are some dart boards with pressure sensors built into them,” Kerr continued. “We think it would be possible to have one recognize your score when you throw a dart and then to have that fed back through the Echo.”

RabbitMax Flex is an open source add-on board, compatible with HAT specifications for Raspberry Pi 2 /3 boards and is designed specifically for rapid prototyping of Internet of Things (IoT) and home automation applications .

It includes headers for up to 5 I2C sensors, as well as an RGB LED, a buzzer, a relay, a button, infrared receiver and transmitter, and an optional slot for modular 16x2 LCD character display.

Getting started with RabbitMax Flex is super easy. No soldering is required. You can assemble the kit with your bare hands and start using it immediately on Raspbian, the most popular GNU/Linux distribution for Raspberry Pi. A comprehensive user's manual is also provided for learning about hardware programming using either C or Python. The developer has also released software and hardware documentation for the board, including KiCAD schematics & PCB layout, code samples, and more on Github.

If you've ever wanted a retro console that can play games from your childhood, then you should consider the Raspberry Pi-powered indieGO!. indieGO is a true retro gaming console designed by a German company called ARES Computers.

It has recently taken to Kickstarter to raise the required funds to take their new retro games console into production. They are also planning on to produce more games for the indieGO! and Amiga Computers as well as provide a new lower cost version using the powerful and affordable Orange Pi mini PC. The team also wants to create an expansion for the indieGO! which allows to use and backup original 3.5" disks from Amiga, ATARI and other systems.Device Overview:
indieGO! is an ARM powered system and the only one with a DVD-RW or optional BD-RW drive which allows you to play and or backup your CD-based retro games. It can also be used as an media center PC or as an power-efficient computer running Linux, Android or AEROS.

It even runs x86 Linux software using Eltechs Exagear Emulator which works similar to "Rosetta" Emulation which was used by Apple during the transition from PPC-CPU's to Intel CPU's. Long story short, you can run many compatible PC/Linux apps seemingly besides the ARM based apps.

Coming to software, you can run their own in-house developed distribution called indiGO! OS ™ which includes multiple front-ends like EmulationStation, Attract-Mode, Kodi or EMULA™ . You can also run Android depending on the type of Board selected.

To learn more about the new indieGO! do visit their Kickstarter page and make a pledge if you are interested. €1,000 is required to take the new indieGO! into production.

Over 60 recipes that harness the power of the Raspberry Pi together with Python programming and create enthralling and captivating projects

About This Book● Install your first operating system, share files over the network, and run programs remotely● Construct robots and interface with your own circuits and purpose built add-ons, as well as adapt off-the-shelf household devices using this pragmatic guide● Packed with clear, step-by-step recipes to walk you through the capabilities of Raspberry PiWho This Book Is For
Readers are expected to be familiar with programming concepts and Python (where possible Python 3 is used), although beginners should manage with the help of a good Python reference book and background reading. No prior knowledge of the Raspberry Pi or electronics is required; however, for the hardware sections you will need some basic electronic components/household tools to build some of the projects.

What You Will Learn● Get the Raspberry Pi set up and running for the first time● Remotely connect to the Raspberry Pi and use your PC/laptop instead of a separate screen/keyboard● Get to grips with text, files and creating quick menus using Python● Develop desktop applications; handle images and process files with ease● Make use of graphics and user control to develop your own exciting games● Use the Raspberry Pi's powerful GPU to create 3D worlds● Take control of the real world and interface with physical hardware, combining hardware and software for your own needs● Measure and control processes, respond to real events and monitor through the Internet● Learn about the Raspberry Pi hardware inputs/outputs, starting with the basics and beyond● Expand the capabilities of the Raspberry Pi with hardware expansion / add-on modules (use analogue inputs, drive servos and motors, and use SPI/I2C)● Create your own Pi-Rover or Pi-Hexpod driven by the Raspberry Pi● Make use of existing hardware by modifying and interfacing with it using the Raspberry Pi

In Detail
Raspberry Pi cookbook for Python Programmers is a practical guide for getting the most out of this little computer. This book begins by guiding you through setting up the Raspberry Pi, performing tasks using Python 3 and introduces the first steps to interface with electronics. As you work through each chapter you will build up your skills and knowledge and apply them as you progress throughout the book, delving further and further into the unique abilities and features of the Raspberry Pi.

Later, you will learn how to automate tasks by accessing files, build applications using the popular Tkinter library and create games by controlling graphics on screen. You will harness the power of the built-in graphics processor by using Pi3D to generate your own high quality 3D graphics and environments. Connect directly to the Raspberry Pi's hardware pins to control electronics from switching on LEDs and responding to push buttons right through to driving motors and servos. Learn how to monitor sensors to gather real life data and to use it to control other devices, and view the results over the Internet. Apply what you have learnt by creating your own Pi-Rover or Pi-Hexipod robots. Finally, we will explore using many of the purpose built add-ons available for the Raspberry Pi, as well as interfacing with common household devices in new ways.

Style and approach
Written in a cookbook style, the book contains a series of recipes on various topics, ranging from simple to complex. It is an easy-to-follow and step-by-step guide with examples of various feature integration suitable for any search application.

Next Thing the company behind the popular $9 C.H.I.P has launched two new devices: CHIP Pro version that costs $16 and a $6 system-on-a-chip called the GR8 SIP. It is also offering a $49 CHIP Pro developer kit which includes 2 CHIP Pro units, a debug board, and headers.

The new hardware follows on from the original CHIP mini PC that was launched last year priced at $9 and offers a great piece of hardware for makers and hobbyists looking to build mini PC systems.

The CHIP Pro is a small, low-power, Linux-based computer that features connectivity via 802.11b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2 as well as dual microphones, and a choice between either 256MB or 512MB of storage.

The GR8 is equipped with a 1 GHz Allwinner R8 ARM Cortex-A8 processor supported by Mali-400 graphics with 256MB of DDR3 RAM, an Allwinner AXP209 power management unit, and support for devices with cameras, SD cards, and USB ports.

For more information, full specifications and to order the new boards jump over to the Next Thing website.

Audioberry - an Open-Source audio engineering company based in the UK has unveiled a new open source Audiophile amplifier called ZULA for streaming devices as well as mini PCs such as the Raspberry Pi.Audioberry have taken the minimalist approach to design as it doesn’t offer tons of inputs and other unnecessary functions. The Zula amplifier has been designed to be the best in class, providing both exceptional value coupled with superb sound. A powerful (2 X 120W / 4 Ohm) Bang & Olufsen ICEpower ASX125 class D power amplifier module driven by a front end main board are the heart of ZULA and offered as standard in the basic version.
The exterior chassis has been built with brushed metal and an optional hand crafted Corian® case is also available, which will fit over the top of the amplifier if you want it to be white over the standard black colour.

Streaming Compatibility
You can connect any analogue device direct to the Zula amplifier, or pair up with a Raspberry Pi which can be installed and powered internally with the Zula Premium. Alternatively, it will also work with other external devices such as Chromecast Audio, smartphones/tablets, MP3 players, streaming devices etc. Zula also works beautifully with the wonderful Raspberry Pi DAC from IQAudIO. Zula includes a media bay so that in the future, you can add additional modules to increase Zula's functionality

Hardware

ZULA is an Open Source project and as such all schematic drawings are available free for download. Detailed specification available at Audioberry.com. ZULA is implemented at whole with THT (through hole technology) top quality components and is also offered as kit in a "money saving" version.

Add-ons
Several add-ons can be purchased separately and then can be easily mounted on ZULA at the offered optional metal bays.
1.The first is the Raspberry Pi minicomputer which offers four USB ports to connect your music streaming device, either smartphone, iPad, laptop, PC etc. The Raspberry Pi module can be purchased from Audioberry at a very good price.
2.The second is the necessary DAC converter board which can be purchased from IQaudio or HiFiBerry.
3.The third is a HDMI adaptor board which can convert the ZULA in a multimedia center.

To learn more about ZULA do visit their Kickstarter page and make a pledge if you are interested. £50,000 is required to take ZULA into production.